A London gay bear club denied a man and his friendâs entry because he was wearing high heels. âItâs not something you do every day,â Pavel Vacek explains. âI bought them a year ago, and Iâve only worn them once. When you have heels on, people look at you. Itâs something special, and something different from trainers. I think theyâre hot.â

Vacek and some friends were trying to get into XXL, a nightclub in south London and cater primarily to the bear community. However, when they got to the door, they were told by a bouncer they couldnât get in. âIt wasnât aggressive,â he explains. âHe said it was club policy that you canât wear make-up, wigs, high heels or anyone feminine. He said: âWe donât allow femininity,â Furthermore, âI think he was just doing his job. I was upset of course but I wasnât blaming the bouncer. Itâs just the general attitude of the club.â

Vacek comments that âIf you wear heels, it doesnât mean youâre feminine,â Vacek continues. âWho says heels are just for women? You can be masculine and super buff and wear heels. I think itâs sexier. Itâs not a written rule.â

Needless to say, Vacek and his friends will not be going back to XXL in the near future. âIâm quite open-minded and I like open-minded environments,â he says. âIf there are strict rules for something, I donât like it.â